How about some fish, a show and some land?

Land SharksOK, you'll like this one. I've recently been communicating with a Seller that wants to list and sell a couple of vacant building lots in Poinciana. The lot market in Poinciana has pretty much dried up since most of the builders moved out of the area last year.

During the peak of the market, 2005, a building lot in Poinciana would fetch about $60,000 to $70,000. These were incredible prices since as recently as 2002 you could find lots in the $5,000 to $7,000 range. Sure wish I would have bought about 50 of those...but nooooooooo.......I'm an idiot!!!!

This guy's lots are now worth about $30,000 each, assuming we could even find a Buyer. Anyway, he sent me an email asking if I heard of a company.....let's call them....Surf and Turf, Inc.

I picked this name because one of their marketing techniques is bringing Buyers and Sellers together through promotional Dinner Shows. Have a piece of fish, watch a show and buy a lot. Does this work? I don't know.

What I do know is that they are NOT licensed agents. They are in fact, a Nationwide Advertising and Marketing company that specializes in vacant land.

And.....Why spend thousands on realtors with rock solid contracts that don't allow you to sell? Especially when....The real estate market across the country is better than it's ever been. Anytime is a good time to sell!

Those are their words....not mine.

Now folks, I'm a firm believer in free enterprise. If it works.....go for it. BUT....here's my problem with these types of "Marketing Companies". Actually let me just tell you what they told my lot guy.

"We will sell your lot's in 90 days for $120,000 each. All you need to do is cut us a check for $1,897.00!!!"

Where did they get that $120,000 figure from? My guess is they pulled it out of their arse!! But hey, what do they care? It's all about the upfront fee. IF....this Seller were not already well informed, by me, he could have very easily wasted $1,897.00. AND.....may have believed his $60,000 worth of Real Estate was actually worth $240,000!!! Incredible.

So folks, be careful out there. Do your research before hiring a "Marketing Company" instead of a REALTOR®. If not, you may very well be buying dinner and a show for a lot of "Buyers". I do hear the fish is excellent though? What say you?

****Image courtesy of TLW and ROAR! Productions.

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Copyright © 2008 http://www.brokerbryant.com/ | All Rights Reserved

Bryant Tutas
Broker/Owner
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
http://www.brokerbryant.com/
***The content of this blog is solely my opinion*** 

 

39 Comments on How about some fish, a show and some land?

Reserved Parking For "The Lovely Wife"...TLW...ROAR!

Blog Boy...

As you know this one makes me cringe :)

So what do I do when that happens?

I order the Fried Cat Fish with a side of Hush Puppies :)

P.S. I'll take a Vodka on the rocks too ... But ... Don't tell my husband I asked for liquor :) 

TLW...ROAR!

04/23/2008 03:24 PM by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)


Thanks for the post. I haven't run into that yet! I'm glad that you were there to help the seller... who knows how much money he could have ended up shelling out.

04/23/2008 03:37 PM by Rob Muller - ABR, ASP, RCC, CNHS, LREA Cherokee County Real Estate (ReMax Town & Country)


Plus, isn't there something wrong with getting paid for real estate stuff when a person/entity is unlicensed?  Yike!  Shouldn't they be brought up on charges with FREC?  Or, does that NOT apply to marketing only? 

04/23/2008 03:47 PM by Lisa Spalding (Watson Realty Corp.)


hhhmmm, that is interesting. I too would be wondering where they came up with the 120k value?

Sean Allen

04/23/2008 03:58 PM by International Financing Solutions


BB, there are so many scams out there right now.Hadn't heard of this one, but now I will be warned. 

04/23/2008 04:07 PM by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)


I'll admit... I had a comment but got sidetracked with the fried catfish, hushpuppies and vodka. Thanks, TLW, now I'm hungry. :)

 Oh, yea... $120K each?  I think you pegged exactly where that number came from.  Wow.

04/23/2008 04:30 PM by Fairbanks Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton (Jesse & Kathy Clifton, REALTORS - 907.699.6024 - )


A bottle of white, ooohhhh, a bottle of red. Guess the "meat" on the menu is a pound of flesh extracted from the seller's -- now what did you call that thang -- arse?

04/23/2008 04:38 PM by Andrew J. Lenza (ABR*GRI*MBA) Monmouth County NJ Real Estate Broker (Andrew J. Lenza Realty)


How can they not be licensed and suggesting a selling price? 

FSBO companies work that way because all they do is provide the means and nothing else. No advice, etc.  That steps into the "real estate activity" territory here in Oregon.

 

04/23/2008 04:41 PM by Melina Tomson, M.S. Salem Oregon Real Estate Specialist (Tomson Burnham, llc)


I'm very leary of any upfront fees....especially from my end (mortgage) of things, outside of the appraisal.  Heck, if I would of been charging upfront fees this entire time, I might just be retired and living in Poinciana.

04/23/2008 04:59 PM by Jason Sardi, Pennsylvania Mortgage Broker (First Choice Equity Group Inc.)


Gee.  Aren't you glad to find out that:

The real estate market across the country is better than it's ever been. Anytime is a good time to sell!

 

04/23/2008 05:01 PM by Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Real Estate


BB, Sometimes you just want a free dinner and then leave.  Depends on the resturant. It would have to be one great resturant to get me there though.  AJ
ps. BB, I got a bridge for sale.  Are you interested?  I really needed a little LOL today. Have you heard....

04/23/2008 05:50 PM by Alan 'AJ' Nisen California Contra Costa Mortgage Officer (A Large Bank in America)


Companies like that get away with their scams because of greed.  I'm happy your client was well informed and didn't get caught on the hook.

04/23/2008 06:00 PM by Fran Gatti - Crescent City CA Real Estate (RE/MAX Coastal Redwoods)


Hi Guys. You know I don't know how these folks get away with out having a license. BuyOwner.com is the same thing. They state they are nothing ore than a marketing company yet they provide contracts, title info etc...It seems to me if you are matching up sellers and buyers for a fee then you are practicing real estate whether you call it that or not. 

The seller emailed me back to say these people won't leave him alone now that he has declined their "services". His words were "aggressive and rude"

AJ, I could use a nice bridge!!!!

Lenn. I am so pleased these folks have enlightened me on current market conditions. And to think I thought it sucked!!!

By the way....practicing real estate in Florida, without a license, is now a 3rd degree Felony!!! Of course in reality practicing real estate WITH a license in Florida can sometimes be a 3rd degree Felony too :)

As always........Thanks for stopping by!!!!!!!!! Great comments as usual.

04/23/2008 06:00 PM by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc


These types of marketing companies remind me of "smash and grab" thieves that just grab that moolah and take off!  But do the math here.

If I market to 100,000 people and tell them it's on $1897 up front for me to guarantee (worthless of course) the sale of their land, and only 2% respond and send money ... then  I am $3,794,000.00 richer.  Odds are that I can be out of the country by the time your 90 days is up and you are still stuck with a piece of dirt. 

But in my world, it would take much more than that to be able to look in the mirror every day and not be disgusted with myself.  Guess that's why I'll never be rich... 

04/23/2008 06:29 PM by Carol Smith, ReMax Preferred, REALTOR®, Toledo, OH (www.calltoledohome.com)


BB,  Sad but true!  There are always going to be scammers out there and they will consistently find new and innovative ways to go about what they do.  The sad thing is, and they know this because they are working the numbers, but there will be many that will break down and pay them.

04/23/2008 07:06 PM by Marc Grossman, GRI - Central Florida Real Estate Specialist (Keller Williams Premier Realty)


Does White or Red Wine go better with ARSE? Wow, that is simply amazing that people fall for this type of slick crap....I am amazed that they do but they do. Thanks for pointing out yet another one!

Best,

Scott 

04/23/2008 07:14 PM by Scott Cowan -Tacoma & Pierce County Area (Terry Wise & Associates)


Well there's an interesting way to get around the real estate licensing laws. And now that we know where they're getting their ideas, I can understand the stench ;)

04/23/2008 08:19 PM by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach REALTOR®) (Adams Cameron and Company)


Good grief. There seems to be no rules if you don't have a license to sell real estate and a ton of rules if you do have a license to sell real estate. Sooner or later some poor chap will be telling his story on Dateline how he got scammed by these people.

04/23/2008 08:32 PM by Karen Luke - Henry County Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty )


Bryant- I thought that this sounds like practicing real estate without a license is a felony in Florida. I am wondering how do they get away with this?
Byowner does have a broker. Even though they say on their billboards, NO BROKERS! What a joke! 

The one is WE buy ugly houses. They flip the properties in escrow without the knowledge of the homeowners.  

04/23/2008 09:25 PM by Nestor & Katerina Gasset, Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.)


You mean it's not a good time to buy? How come they can advertise and everyone runs to believe their crap and on the other hand...we licensed agents try to be up front and honest about our local markets....and they have a hard time believing we are thinking in their best interests?

Even people who relocate here from say...there. They believe it's the same all over.

04/24/2008 01:24 AM by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman (RA), HAWAII Real Estate & HAWAII Relocation (Century 21 Liberty Homes -Mililani, Hawaii)


BB,

Thats pretty cheap...when the market was strong my area was fetching about 500K per acre. Back in 2001...demucked was doe about 185K...I'm not sure what it is now but about 6 months ago it still was expensive...there isn't much land left here to build on and many look for horse acreage so it's a luxury to get it here so they charge a higher price.

04/24/2008 07:01 AM by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (RE/MAX Premier Associates)


I say they need a real estate license.  They can call themselves whatever trade they want.  That doesn't mean they can avoid the license.  I assume they can show results of similar 120K sales in the area that they have obtained??? If not, I will be happy to list it for only $1797 upfront :-)

04/24/2008 08:26 AM by Rob Arnold, Florida Realtor / Investor (Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc.)


Bryant - There are a lot of sleazeballs running around. If we keep shining a light on them hopefully they'll scurry off.

04/24/2008 03:10 PM by Tom Plant - Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)


Carol, You are right that the potential to make big bucks is certainly there. The Internet is a HUGE place. You only need $$$ from a very minute percentage to make a great profit. In fact I'm still trying to figure out to get 10,000 people to give me $100 :)

I guess the moral of this post is that the consumer has to be very very careful out there!!!! It is very easy to be separated from your money.

Now this is what I need all you folks to do: Make out a check for $100 to:

Broker Bryant's Marlin Fishin' Fund
1234 Sun Ray Marina
Costa Rica 45678

THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!!!! ONLY 9,974 MORE TO GO!!!! 

 

04/24/2008 04:28 PM by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc


Blog Boy...

Why don't we do what we saw another Blogger do?

Remember? We can ask every member to send us a dollar.

That's a total of $80,000. That will almost cover my allowance :)

TLW...ROAR!

04/24/2008 04:50 PM by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)


BB-funny but I had a gentleman contact me from AR and want to list his property; vacant land.  Land in my area is about the same as you mentioned.  So we did some comps, I know this area very well, and know that there are some high priced listings, but they don't sell.....they are just high priced listings.  So, I write the guy, give him my opinion, etc.  All good....then today he sends me links to 2 of the high priced listings....and wanted to know if I knew of these.  Yes, I did. they are part of the CMA, and close to his property......ones that aren't selling.  The strange part of this is the Agent is excellent, but their expertise isn't this area....it's a Mountain and lifestyle away :)  I hope I end up with the same result as you....an informed, realistic seller :)

04/24/2008 08:08 PM by Kathy McGraw ~ Calif Broker (CELLing Realty)


I am afraid we have a few of These in our market and the sellers are so unhappy after the experience they try to avoid all Realtors since we are all alike.

04/24/2008 09:15 PM by Terry Westbrook ~ Realtor(R) Grand Rapids Mi Ada/Cascade Real Estate (Five Star Real Estate, LLC Grand Rapids , MI)


Bryant - Here is the sad part: many people will STILL think that these people are somehow working with realtors and when the story is retold about how they got shafted, it will have realtors involved! These guys should be taken to court!

04/25/2008 06:34 AM by Barbara-Jo & Bill - - Florida Realty Professional - AHWD (Charles Rutenberg Realty)


Very interesting.  Ive been seeing people get busted for not having a license doing stuff like that lately.   So Broker B.....thanks for the comments the other day. I enjoyed learning your insight.

04/25/2008 11:27 AM by Utah Dave and Utah Homes for Sale (Robison & Company Real Estate)


I think I sent you an e-mail a while back, about a question on Trulia, about real estate in Poinciana. Answers are still being posted. In case you wanted to contact the seller, here's the link: http://www.trulia.com/voices/Market_Conditions/What_is_the_expected_recovery_time_for_investors_w-21536--

04/25/2008 11:54 PM by Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach REALTOR®) (Adams Cameron and Company)


whoooaaaaa.....

really?

Guarantee????

Can I get a piece of that action???

04/26/2008 01:12 AM by Sarah Nopp, REALTOR(R), CRS. RE/MAX Four Seasons, Olympia WA (RE/MAX Four Seasons)


So, Katerina said I need to kiss up to you to get more featured posts...I dunno though...the picture on the bed was kinda scary...I am not sure if I could deal with that much closeness!

04/26/2008 09:07 AM by Jeremy Blanton- Myrtle Beach Real Estate ,Coldwell Banker Chicora (Coldwell Banker Chicora Real Estate)


Jeremy, I think this may work for you. Now send me a check and I'll see what I can do :)

Sarah, I always give a guarantee. "List with me and I guarantee to shave before I meet with you.....maybe"

Lisa, Thanks!!! I went over there and set up my alerts so I should be good to go now.

"Utah Dave", Always good to see you.

Barbara -Jo, You are correct. No matter who it is the consumer thinks they are REALTORS(R)

Terry, Guilty by association even though we are not associated. It sucks!

Kathy, One of the biggest problems is when folks take listings out of their area and don't have a clue about value. I see it everyday.

Kelly, Yes you do!!!! And a piece of pie.

Hey Hun:)

04/26/2008 12:16 PM by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc


I don't know of any of those companies here in Colorado Springs, how scary!  Sounds like they really scam people and it almost seems illegal because they are not licensed real estate agents.

04/27/2008 08:56 PM by Colorado Springs Realty Patricia Beck (Prudential Professional Realtors, GRI)


BB,

This is exactly why I have such disdain for people like Erik Estrada.

He showed have faded into the sunset after CHIPS! "0 

04/30/2008 05:52 AM by Scott Daniels Florida Real Estate 2.0. Agents Earn 100% Commission. (Florida List For Less Realty, Inc. Broker/Owner. )


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Real Estate Brokerage: Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc
Poinciana, FL
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